Snowden Run 3D is Something That Exists

Snowden Run 3D is out for Android and coming to iOS devices from Belgian developer Michele Rocco Smeets. The new game, an endless runner (of course), puts you in Snowden’s shoes avoiding obstacles as he gathers USB thumb drives and laptops with “Agent Jake” hot on his tail.

Snowden, of course, is the whistle blower who became a household name after leaking details of the NSA’s terrifying surveillance program to the press. He’s since been on the run from the US Government and is currently seeking asylum in Russia.

Not surprisingly, the game itself isn’t really much to write home about. I only played the Android version, so it might be better on other platforms. Playing it on my Galaxy S4, I was thoroughly nonplussed. Considering it was made in less than 30 hours, it’s impressive. But really it’s glitchy, ugly and hard to control.

Snowden Run 3D is worth a download because it’s pretty funny for a while, from the Immortal Technique soundtrack to the goofy touches like Agent Jake’s uncanny resemblance to the Hitman guy. But it’s more a novelty than anything. I put it down pretty quick.

Also, Smeets claims “The game does not point a finger to either the US agencies and companies involved in the data-collection scandal nor Mr. Snowden, it attempts to remain neutral as far as a parody can be unbiased.” Still the fact that you can call in a nuke from your “Uncle Putin” seems to make quite a statement.

From the press release for the game:

Snowden Run 3D is a free satirical Temple Run/Subway Surfers clone for Android, iPhone and HTML5 based on the current events surrounding Mr. Edward Snowden. The game was authored by Belgian actor/director and computer scientist Mike “The Spike” Smith (Michele Rocco Smeets) originally intended as a Ludum Dare contest entry, with less than 30 hours of development time dedicated to it. It features three complete, infinite episodes; NSA Head Quarters, Hong Kong and Moscow Airport.

The player collects USB sticks and laptops containing sensitive information while being chased by Agent Jake, whose mission is to arrest whistle blower Edward Snowden. If the player is caught, he ends up in Guantanamo Bay and the game ends. There is one powerup, a USSR hydrogen bomb which is dropped onto the map when “Uncle Putin” is called on a cellphone, effectively ridding it from obstacles. Due to the very limited development time dedicated to this game there are a lot of possible improvements, especially gameplay-wise that will be made in the future through the use of updates.

The game does not point a finger to either the US agencies and companies involved in the data-collection scandal nor Mr. Snowden, it attempts to remain neutral as far as a parody can be unbiased. There is absolutely no political motivation behind this game nor am I affiliated with any government agencies or Mr. Snowden.